A gift guide for the college student in your life
Young adults home for Christmas pose a unique gift-giving challenge. They are somewhat financially independent for the first time, but often still have financial ties to you! They have unique needs and wants, and it can be hard to nail down a good gift when it feels like their tastes are constantly evolving.
The good news? A meaningful, useful, and even fun gift doesn’t require months of planning and hand-wringing. We’re here to help you think through what your young adult would be glad to receive this Christmas.
1. Cold hard cash
A few bills or a gift card for gas, groceries, coffee, or a department store can go a long way for a young adult. Just be sure to pair it with something a little more personal, even if it’s small.
2. Subscriptions
Young adults who are penny pinching aren’t likely to spend money on non-essentials, so a meaningful digital subscription like an app for meditation, sleep, budgeting, music, or journaling can show you care about them.
Other subscription options include physical monthly gift boxes for snacks, coffee, or something else they enjoy. A web search for “best subscription boxes” yields tons of results! And that counts as a care package they receive every month, reminding them they are loved.
3. Experiences
Many young adults report valuing experiences over things, so think of ways you can gift them something to do. Movie tickets, a coffee date, tickets to a show or museum, a weekend getaway, or even a random Groupon adventure can be fun.
4. Dorm or apartment upgrades
Dorm or apartment life usually means items that are secondhand and a little worse for wear. Gift your young adult a soft throw blanket, a candle warmer, a unique mug, or a low maintenance plant (emphasis on low maintenance… cacti and pothos are great choices).
Here are a few suggestions to get you started (all of the following are affiliate links):
Electric hot pot for cooking without a kitchen
Super soft blanket for making a dorm bed a little cozier
A warmer for candles or mugs for a homey feel (without the policy violations)
5. For their spiritual growth
Showing you care about and are invested in your young adult’s faith doesn’t have to be, in the words of Gen Z, “cringe.” A guided journal, a well-chosen book, or a devotional can communicate care for them in a really meaningful way.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started (all of the following are affiliate links):
But don’t forget:
While all of these suggestions can be great, the most meaningful gift is your attentiveness this Christmas season. So be sure to show up, ask good questions, and write them an intentional note to go alongside your gift! Christmas can be a time for you to tell them:
I see you. I’m cheering you on. I’m in your corner.